Wednesday, October 28, 2009
Then junior guard Mario Little is restrained by Sherron Collins and a official after getting into a scuffle with Nebraska’s Cookie Miller last season. Miller, at 5-feet-7, is one of the many Cornhuskers who made up the smallest team in Division I last season. Nebraska signed three players who are at least 6-foot-10 in an effort to compete with bigger teams, including Kansas.
Colorado
(9-22, 1-15)
Vs. Kansas: Feb. 3, 7 p.m., Boulder, Colo.; Feb. 20, 2 p.m., Lawrence
Key Losses: None
Key newcomers: C Shane Harris-Tunks, Marcus Relphorde and Shannon Sharpe add athleticism and depth to the perimeter
Colorado has finished at the bottom of the Big 12 for three consecutive seasons, including a 1-15 debacle last year. It has lost 29 consecutive conference road games, and 12 straight overall. For Coach Jeff Bzdelik, that’s the bad news. The good news, of course, is that there’s plenty of room for improvement. And the Buffaloes do look likely to do that, returning four players who played over thirty minutes a game last year, including third-team All-Big 12 selection Cory Higgins. Despite its awful record, Colorado was somewhat competitive in conference last season, losing eight games by single digits. With a returning Higgins anchoring a deep, experienced and athletic perimeter combined with Aussie big man Shane Harris-Tunks, Colorado looks likely to win more of those close games and improve on its one-win mark. Still, even with the expected improvement, Colorado isn’t likely to move up substantially in the Big 12 pecking order, or compete for a postseason berth.
— Alex Beecher
Texas A&M
(24-10, 9-7)
Vs. Kansas: Feb. 15, 8 p.m., College Station, Texas
Key Losses: Josh Carter, Chinemelu Elonu
Key newcomers: Khris Middleton, Josh Carter, Ray Turner
Coach Mark Turgeon has led Texas A&M to each of the last four NCAA tournaments, winning at least two games each visit and advancing to the Sweet 16 in 2007. This season presents a particular challenge, however, because the Aggies lost two big pieces from last season’s squad. The loss of offensive cornerstone Josh Carter was expected, and with backcourt depth, adequately accounted for. Chinemelu Elonu’s declaration for the NBA draft was more surprising, and thrusts added responsibility on senior forward Bryan Davis. Not surprisingly then, the strength of the Aggies looks to be at the guard postion. Behind Donald Sloan and B.J. Holmes and without many big men, Texas A&M will likely be a more up-tempo team than what it has been in the past. The new look Aggies still project as a solid middle of the pack Big 12 team, with reasonable expectations to make the tournament for a fifth consecutive season.
— Alex Beecher
Junior center Cole Aldrich dunks the ball during the Kansas-Oklahoma game last season. The Sooners have to find someone else to guard Aldrich after Blake Griffin left early for the NBA.
Iowa State
(15-17, 4-12)
Vs. Kansas: January 23 in Ames -1 pm; February 13 in Lawrence – 7 pm.
Key Losses: Bryan Petersen.
Key Newcomers: Colvin, Marquis Gilstrap
Iowa State received the best news it could have hoped for when Craig Brackins announced he would return for his junior year despite being projected as a first-round NBA draft pick. Jayhawk fans might remember Brackins, the top returning scorer in the Big 12 this year and an Honorable Mention All-American last year, as the player who lit up Kansas for 42 points last January. Along with Brackins, the Cyclones return four out of five starters from last year on a team coach Greg McDermott said could be the best he’s had. Those returning starters include juniors Diante Garrett, who ranked third in assists in the Big 12 last year, and Lucca Steiger, who will provide the majority of the team’s 3-point shooting. Junior college Transfer Marquis Gilstrap, ranked 29 in the Class of 2009 by ESPN.com and freshman Chris Colvin, the 77th-ranked player in the nation according to ESPNU could also boost the Cyclones. Gilstrap was voted the Big 12’s Newcomer of the Year in the coaches’ preseason poll. If Iowa State’s returning starters stay healthy, the team could be a huge improvement upon last year.
— Joel Petterson
Oklahoma State
(23-12, 9-7)
Vs. Kansas: Feb. 27, 3 p.m., Stillwater, Okla.
Key losses: G Byron Eaton (14.3 ppg, 5.7 apg), G Terrel Harris (13.9 ppg)
Key newcomers: C Jarred Shaw (No. 15 center by Rivals), G Ray Penn (No. 9 point guard by Rivals), C Torin Walker (No. 14 center by Rivals), F Roger Franklin (No. 9 small forward by Rivals)
Preseason All-Big 12 junior forward James Anderson is the third-leading returning scorer in the Big 12 behind Kansas’ Sherron Collins and Iowa State’s Craig Brackins. Coach Travis Ford will look to Anderson to carry the scoring load for his young Cowboys team in 2009-2010. Senior guard Obi Muonelo is Oklahoma State’s leading returning rebounder despite being only 6-foot-5. Sophomore guard Keiton Page was a huge surprise last season and started the last 12 games. He is very willing to launch three-pointers but refuses to go inside: he averaged just one rebound per game last season.
The Cowboys’ season will likely hinge on the newcomers’ ability to adjust to the college game. With Muonelo the only senior, there will probably be some bumps in the road. However, according to ESPN.com, Ford was able to bring in the 10th-rated recruiting class. Penn has NBA-range on his jumpshot already. and Ford will let him have his fair share of three-point attempts. This team is a bit of an enigma capable of challenging the powerhouses in the Big 12 and struggling against the lesser squads.
— Clark Goble
Texas
(23-12, 9-7)
Vs. Kansas: Feb. 8, 8 p.m., Austin, Texas
Key losses: G AJ Abrams,
Key newcomers: G freshman Avery Bradley, G freshman J’Covan Brown, G junior Jai Lucas (G)
Breakdown: Texas features seven incoming players on its 16-man squad, which is one of the largest that coach Rick Barnes has ever had. With young talent like Bradley, named Preseason All-Big 12 Freshman of the Year and winner of the high school national championship in his senior year, Texas fans can expect some new stars on the court. Lucas, who will be eligible from his transfer from Florida in December, may fill former Aggie Abrams’ spot at point guard. Returning from last season are seniors Damian James () and Dexter Pittman (). James led the Longhorns and was fourth in the Big 12 in rebounding last season (9.2 rpg). Though Texas will host Kansas in conference play, they face some tough non-conference opponents this semester. Texas will play defending champions North Carolina in Arlington, Texas on Dec. 19, and Michigan State at home on Dec. 22.
— Hallie Mann
Texas Tech
(14-19, 3-13)
Jan. 16 1:30 p.m. @ KU
Key Losses: Alan Voskuil, G
Key Newcomers: Mike Davis, G; Jaye Crockett, F; Brad Reese, F
Pat Knight’s first full year as Texas Tech’s coach hasn’t exactly made everyone forget about daddy.
They finished 14-19, their worst record since 2000-01. It was good enough to finish 11th in the Big 12. Texas Tech got off to a hot start last year going 10-4, but it finished the season losing 15 out of the last 19 games.
However, the Red Raiders do have some positives looking toward 2009-10. The nucleus of the team is made of mostly young players. Out of the five seniors last year, guard Alan Voskuil appears to be the only player sorely missed.
Junior guard John Roberson looks to improve his successful campaign last year, where he averaged 13.9 points per game and led the Big 12 in assists. Junior forward Mike Singletary scored 43 points in a game last year, 23 of them straight, so they have a pure scorer.
Sophomore center Robert Lewandowski showed his value quickly last year, averaging 6.6 points per game and 3.7 rebounds while leading the team in blocked shots.
Texas Tech needs to improve its defense (79 points per game allowed last season) and its turnovers (15 per game). If those can get fixed, look for this team to drastically climb the Big 12 ranks in 09-10.
— Corey Thibodeaux
Nebraska
(18-13, 8-8)
Jan 13 8:00 p.m. vs. KU
Key Losses: Ade Dagunduro, G; Steve Harley, G; Paul Velander, G
Key Newcomers: Brandon Ubel, F; Ray Gallegos, G; Christopher Niemann, C; Brian Diaz, C
Being the smallest team in Division I basketball, Nebraska knew they had to get bigger.
Their tallest player last year was 6-8 forward Chris Balham, but head coach Doc Sadler brought in three players: Brandon Ubel, 6-10; Christopher Niemann, 6-11; and Brian Diaz, 6-11.
However, Niemann tore his ACL in August, the second time on the same knee. He was to be their starting big man to deal with the size of the Big 12, but now that is Diaz’s role to fill.
They did however lose their top scorer in Ade Dagunduro as well as Paul Velander, both of whom were the top two leaders of the team. Aside from guards Sek Henry and Ryan Anderson, no one on this year’s roster logged more than 500 minutes of playing time last year.
— Corey Thibodeaux
Baylor Bears
(24-15, 5-11)
1/20 @ Kansas (8:00 pm, ESPN2)
Key losses: (G) Curtis Jerrells (16.3 Pts, 4.5 Reb, 4.9 Ast), (G) Henry Dugat (9.4 Pts, 3.1 Reb, 2.1 Ast), (F) Kevin Rogers (12.6 Pts, 7.6 Reb)
Key additions: (G) Nolan Dennis, (F) Cory Jefferson, (C) Dragan Sekelja, (F) Ekpe Udoh
In 2002, Baylor basketball was far from being synonymous with success. From the tragic murder of player Patrick Dennehy to the various NCAA violations by former coach Dave Bliss, the program had seemingly plunged to depths it would not soon recover from.
But since the hiring of Scott Drew in 2003, there has been quite a turnaround in Waco. After winning 21 games and making the NCAA Tournament in 2008, Baylor responded with a 24 wins last year – its first back-to-back 20-win seasons in school history. The Bears parlayed that success into a post-season run, finishing as the runners up in both the Big 12 Tournament and NIT Championship games.
Though the team will lose a great deal of their offense with the graduation of Jerrells, Dugat, and Rogers, the Bears look to the experience of returning starters LaceDarius Dunn and Tweety Carter to lead the way in 2009-2010. Additionally, Baylor welcomes six freshman and two transfer students in what Rivals.com ranks as the No. 17 recruiting class in the nation.
With a talented roster in place and the guidance of coach Drew, look for the Bears to be a formidable presence in the Big 12 this season.
— Ben Ward
Kansas State
(22-12, 9-7)
Vs. Kansas March 3 in Lawrence- 7 p.m.
Key Loss: Darren Kent
Key Newcomers: Wally Judge; Rodney McGruder
Despite 22 wins and a surprising fourth place finish in the Big 12 last year, the Kansas State Wildcats still cannot get that putrid taste out of their mouths. Not only were they robbed of an at-large bid to the NCAA Tournament, but they also fell in a crushing defeat to San Diego State in the NIT.
However looking at this year’s squad, coach Frank Martin shouldn’t have a hard time shedding the demons of the past. In just his third year in Manhattan, Martin has already established a once-laughable K-State as a year-to-year contender.
Speedster Denis Clemente headlines the royal purple’s attack with wall to wall energy and a shot that stays hot once it gets there. Expect the All Big 12 point guard to maintain his “now you see me, now you don’t” style and lead the Wildcats from invisibility to demanded detection.
Rounding out the front-court is All Big 12 honorable mention Jacob Pullen. The junior guard (13.9 ppg) was just behind leading scorer Clemente (15 ppg) last season and serves as a sturdy second helping to the diminutive Puerto Rican. The two scorers form what might be the most underrated front-court in the Big 12.
Martin also gets to show off a talented recruiting class featuring four-star guard Rodney McGruder and McDonald’s All American forward Wally Judge. Can you guess the last McDonald’s All American to don the royal purple? Michael Beasley. You can bet that Manhattan is chomping at the bit to see what Judge can do on the court. The Jacksonville, Fla., prospect is a 6”9 ogre that possesses premier athleticism. His game is still undoubtedly raw, but his sky high slams will have the Bramlage Coliseum rocking.
— Max Rothman
Oklahoma
(30-6, 13-3)
Vs. Kansas February 22 in Lawrence- 8 p.m.
Key Losses: Blake Griffin, Taylor Griffin, Austin Johnson
Key Newcomers: Tiny Gallon, Tommy Mason-Griffin
How do you replace a man among boys?
Blake Griffin, last year’s Naismith Award winner for national player of the year was also the number one pick in this year’s NBA draft. So that means that he’s gone and never coming back.
In steps the man they call Tiny.
That’s right, all 6”9 300 lbs of Keith “Tiny” Gallon fills big enough shoes on his own. Replacing Griffin should be second nature. Quite possibly the best name in the Big 12 (no love for Cookie Miller after last year’s skirmish and his fleeing to Miami from Ohio), Tiny can demolish opponents and completely dominate the paint. Hailing from superstar manufacturer Oak Hill Academy, Tiny is a powerful rebounder and an impressive passer for a forward of his size.
But we wouldn’t even be talking about Oklahoma as a Big 12 force without Willie Warren. Last year’s Big 12 freshman of the year, Warren has a knack for scoring in bunches. He can emulate Dwayne Wade in his Marquette days when charging to the hoop or mirror Steph Curry of Davidson and step back and hit a Cousteau deep three. If the Sooners show only a minimal drop off from last year’s 30 win season, Warren’s assortment of skills and leadership may be enough sniff at Big 12 player of the year.
Coach Jim Caple will have to properly deploy his role players to make up for the departures of Blake and his brother Taylor Griffin, as well as point guard Austin Johnson and forward Juan Pattillo. Senior guard Tony Crocker will function as a floor general and hassle ball handlers with his defensive wizardry and long sleeved under armour. Junior guard Cade Davis can string a group of three pointers together in a flash. Other than Tiny, a cream-of-the-crop recruiting class featuring McDonald’s All-American point guard Tommy Mason Griffin, two guard Steven Pledger and power forward Andrew Fitzgerald will provide the Sooners with a fresh influx of talent and energy.
With several tough non-conference road matchups (VCU, Utah and Gonzaga) and key player departures, don’t expect to see the Sooners win 30 games or return to the NCAA Tournament as a 2 seed. But don’t get ahead of yourselves either. The crimson and cream are still a lethal Big 12 power.
— Max Rothman
Missouri
(31-7, 12-4)
Vs. Kansas: at Kansas 1/25, 8 p.m.; vs. Kansas, 3/06, 1 p.m.
Key Losses: DeMarre Carroll, Leo Lyons, Matt Lawrence, J.T. Tiller, Zaire Taylor
Key Returners: Kim English
Kansas may have won its fifth-straight Big 12 regular season title, but Missouri took home the postseason conference tournament crown and even turned a few heads in advancing to the Elite Eight in March before falling to Connecticut, 82-75.
A wealth of experience will be missing from coach Mike Anderson’s team as its top five scorers – and starting lineup for most of the year – graduated. Perhaps the most glaring loss is that of Carroll, whose leadership played a large role in Missouri’s postseason surprises. Averaging 16.6 points per game, Carroll scored 22 points against Kansas during a Feb. 9 Missouri victory. English will be looked at to lead the team as junior. The 6-foot-6 guard poured in 30 points off the bench in the first two rounds of the NCAA tournament.
— Stephen Montemayor
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Comments
ksusan (anonymous) says...
You seem to have forgotten the KSU/KU game on Jan 30 in Manhattan. Big game. Did you omit it for some reason?
October 28, 2009 at 1:02 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )